RICHMOND, Ky. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – No. 25 Austin Peay football pulled out an important conference win Saturday, Nov. 2 at Roy Kidd Stadium, as the Governors got the job done in overtime 28-21 over Eastern Kentucky.
It was a back-and-forth affair for most of the contest. EKU went out early after forcing a fumble less than a minute into the opening quarter and turning it into seven points.
The Govs bounced back on their next offensive series, as DeAngelo Wilson took a screen pass for a 49-yard touchdown to make it 7-7.
Eastern Kentucky jumped back out in front on its next drive, connecting on a field goal for a three-point lead. Later in the first half, Kordell Jackson came away with his sixth interception on the year. The pick moved Jackson in a tie for second on the all-time Governor list for the most interceptions in a single season.
Late in the second quarter, Austin Peay came away with another takeaway when Trent Taylor jumped in front of the Colonel receiver for the second Gov interception of the game. Once again, the Gov offense failed to capitalize on the EKU turnover and trailed 10-7 at the break.
In the second half, Pat Walker sparked the Governors after picking off Parker McKinney and returning the ball to the Colonel 34-yard line.
With 4:17 left to play in the third quarter, Ahmaad Tanner gave the Governors their first lead of the day with a 1-yard touchdown run.
After forcing an EKU punt on the Colonels’ next series, the Austin Peay offense came alive. Governor quarterback JaVaughn Craig found Baniko Harley for 15 yards before five consecutive runs from Craig and Tanner put the ball back at the Colonel 1-yard line.
Craig then faked the handoff and hit Prince Momodu for a touchdown, as APSU extended its lead to 21-10 with 13:09 left to play.
The game was still far from over and Eastern Kentucky wouldn’t go away easily. The OVC’s leading rusher Daryl McCleskey got loose for a 52-yard gain, before finding the endzone from nine yards out. After a successful two-point conversion, the Colonels cut the deficit to three points.
Late in the fourth quarter, a botched snap on a punt attempt gave Eastern Kentucky the ball back with good field possession. The Governor defense came up with another key stop, holding Eastern Kentucky to a field goal with just under five minutes left in the period. Each team would have another shot at points, but each team failed to make the best of their final possession of regulation.
Eastern Kentucky won the toss in overtime and deferred, giving the Governors the ball first. On the first play of overtime, Kentel Williams dashed into the endzone, taking the swing pass for six points and the game-winning score. It was the Govs’ first overtime victory since 2007.
With the win and UT-Martin taking care of business against Jacksonville State, the Governors and Skyhawks will face off Saturday, Nov. 9 on homecoming with the Sgt. York Trophy and first place in the OVC on the line.
UT-Martin currently leads the conference with a 5-1 record in the OVC while Austin Peay sits right behind the Skyhawks at 4-1.